Last month, Southern Energy Credit Union partnered with Southern Company Workforce Development and Retirement & Financial Wellbeing employees to teach financial literacy to Business & Finance Academy students from Woodlawn High School.
On November 14, Southern Company Finance Leaders hosted an interactive session on needs versus wants and financial trade-offs. Following the session, the Southern Company volunteers joined Credit Union representatives to present the students with a ‘Bite of Reality.’
‘Bite of Reality’ is a hands-on app-based simulation that gives them a taste of real-world financial realities. During the reality fair, students received fictional personas with specific occupations, incomes, credit scores, families, and debt obligations. With that persona, the students then visited Merchant Stations, purchasing necessities such as food, housing, transportation, entertainment and childcare representing the real-world financial responsibilities the students will encounter in the future – all within the app.
“This event gave students a safe space to experience the challenges of managing money. Watching them navigate choices like housing, transportation, and savings was a powerful reminder of how financial education can shape confident decision-makers,” said Claire Connolly, VP of Marketing for Southern Energy Credit Union.
Following the simulation, students heard from Southern Company Workforce Development employees about varying career paths open to them through an engaging presentation that highlighted opportunities across Southern Company. This session reinforced the connection between career choices, income potential, and financial planning, helping students understand how their professional goals can shape their financial future.
“This event bridged the gap between classroom learning and real-world application and helped students see how everyday decisions can influence their long-term goals,” said Caitlin Brothers, External Affairs Manager for Southern Energy. Brothers continued, “It’s rewarding to see students discover the impact of understanding priorities and trade-offs as they begin to face these decisions in life.”
Thank you to the volunteers, teachers, administrators, and the Southern Company team for making this impact possible.
Last month, Southern Energy Credit Union partnered with Southern Company Workforce Development and Retirement & Financial Wellbeing employees to teach financial literacy to students from Woodlawn High School.
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